David was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“When it comes to solving and addressing the IT related problems of our staff and students, few are more successful than the dynamic David Derby.

In his role as LTS (Learning Technology Specialist), David serves the needs of five elementary schools in the Clarington region (Holy Family CES, St. Elizabeth CES, St. Joseph CES, St. Mother Teresa CES, and Msgr. Leo Cleary CES) and the largest high school in PVNCCDSB – St. Stephen C.S.S. I’m sure that all of these schools would praise David’s commitment and dedication to his staff and students.

When staff and students see his friendly face, they are excited! That is because they know that Mr. Derby is likely on his way to fix their computer, help them with a network issue, service their projector, help them navigate MFA, or troubleshoot a variety of tech related issues with them. David Derby responds to hundreds of work orders every year, and does his best to resolve them in a timely fashion, and professional manner.

Thanks for all you do David, your helpful attitude, technical expertise, and creative solutions are always appreciated!”

Karen was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Karen is a dedicated leader in our Special Education department. Her commitment to student-centered decision making ensures that every action taken is in the best interest of helping our students demonstrate their fullest potential. Karen’s meticulous approach to reviewing educational impacts allows her to advocate effectively for environments that nurture and empower our students. Her work not only supports individual student growth but also enhances our collective educational practices. Karen exemplifies the qualities of an Everyday Hero, making a significant difference in the lives of students by putting their needs and best interests at the forefront of everything she does.”

Alison is a Learning Commons Specialist at St. Mother Teresa CES in Courtice.

Alison was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Ms. Ali is truly the heart of St. MT and a true everyday hero. She consistently goes above and beyond for both staff and students, whether she’s out on duty joining a soccer game, reading to a class, helping with tech issues, or just being a friendly face students know they can turn to (her yoga ball in the learning commons is a common choice for both staff and students who stop in for a chat). Her presence brings warmth, energy, and a sense of calm to our school. As our first aid responder, she handles every situation with professionalism, speed, and compassion. Her ability to stay cool under pressure while caring deeply for others is just one of the many things that make her so special. Ms. Ali wears many hats and fills them all with grace and dedication. Her contributions never go unnoticed—we are incredibly lucky to have her.”